One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

[FretFire]

Just so much amazing detail here, and some very cool innovations and ideas. Absolutely jaw dropping IMO.

http://p092.ezboard.com/fthornnewsa...essageRange?topicID=192.topic&start=1&stop=20

 

[beandip]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

damn! that man has got some SKILLS! I wanna meet him. Oh, and have his tools as well

 

[FretFire]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

No kidding, that inlaid top is one of the coolest things I have EVER seen.

 

[big_black]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

The bridge is carved from wood. Pretty sweet.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

my god man

 

[jayK]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

Man o man, that is just astounding.

How long would it take to craft something like that, and how much would you estimate it would cost, I would think at least 5k.

Who is the luthier, he must be well known if he can produce something like that.

 

[aleclee]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

I have a lot of respect for Ron's work but I'm not really clear on what you mean by "innovations". Aside from the wood bridge, I don't see innovation so much as nifty cosmetics and great detailing.

Who is the luthier, he must be well known if he can produce something like that.

It's by Ron Thorn. He only builds guitars part time as his main business is doing inlay for the likes of the Fender Custom Shop and Warrior. Ron is the black-haired guy on the far right.

 

[Lee Bob]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

WOW!!!! That is absolutely beautiful. I'm not a fan of those style double cut away guitars, however that is simply stunning.

Any idea how much that is worth? It must be ridiculous.

 

[FretFire]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

I have a lot of respect for Ron's work but I'm not really clear on what you mean by "innovations". Aside from the wood bridge, I don't see innovation so much as nifty cosmetics and great detailing.

I was mainly referring to the inlaid top, I've never seen anything like that done before. It may only be cosmetic, but it's a pretty interesting design. It could certainly be considered an innovation IMO.

It says on the forums on Ron's site that the guitar took 14 months to complete. With all of the turquoise and sterling silver, plus the exotic woods (black limba, koa, and white Brazillian rosewood) I'm guessing the cost was closer to 10k. The base price for the "standard" models shown on Ron's site are in the 3-5k range.

BTW the site I'm referring to is www.thornguitars.com

EDIT: Sorry, the prices are actually in the 2-4k range.

 

[casblah]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

That guitar makes me want to touch myself.

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

....form over function out the ass....

LOOKS nice probably plays nice but so many of those features leav me asking 'WHY THE HELL??? The guitar is a TOOL to make NOTES!"

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

Also the inlaid top looks just like the world's greatest veneer.

A veneer would look just the same if you stopped it before the 'binding.'
it just wouldn't look quite as good.
Hell you could make it so it was just thick enough that it would taper off before the 'binding'...

 

[tfb1990]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

woooooooow.... just woooooow

 

[FretFire]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

....form over function out the ass....

LOOKS nice probably plays nice but so many of those features leav me asking 'WHY THE HELL??? The guitar is a TOOL to make NOTES!"

No one ever said otherwise :laugh2:. Yes a guitar is a tool, but the guy that ordered that guitar obviously liked playing with very nice tools.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

Love the way the pickups and bridge have been made with some wood... That is really cool! I like the Indian stuff too...

WhoFan

 

[FretFire]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

Also the inlaid top looks just like the world's greatest veneer.

A veneer would look just the same if you stopped it before the 'binding.'
it just wouldn't look quite as good.
Hell you could make it so it was just thick enough that it would taper off before the 'binding'...

True, but that cap is probably 1/4" or more thick. It will have a much more significant impact on the tone than a veneer would.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

That is one beautiful guitar.

I can't stand the fretboard though!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

That's just sickeningly amazing. That's a strictly showcase piece for sure. I'm sure with those Wagners it sounds amazing and with the wraparound bridge, it sustains for days, but man, that guitar is something else.

Too tacky and fancy for me, but Ron Thorn is an absolute master when it comes to custom guitars. I've seen other work he has done and it is nothing short of jawdropping.

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

No one ever said otherwise :laugh2:. Yes a guitar is a tool, but the guy that ordered that guitar obviously liked playing with very nice tools.

I odn't like hammers ilaid all over and made of silver.

I like them made of steel and plain as possible.

There ARE exceptions, but this is far beyond reasonable to me.
This just looks liek a cross between fine furniture, decorative wooden art pieces you see for sale at the same furiture shop, and alot of money.
Plus a little guitar thrown in on hte side.

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: One of the most amazing guitars I've ever seen

True, but that cap is probably 1/4" or more thick. It will have a much more significant impact on the tone than a veneer would.

You missed the point.

To me this amazing upgrade just make the guitar look cheaper.

"Bursting from the back"? not so much. Just looks like a veneer or a thin thin top.

Same with the headstock. just looks like a thin veneer.

Maybe if he included photos of the building process, a projector to display them while you played, and booking at woodworker conventions then I'd care.